Rebuilding Together Teams Up with Philips in Boston to Rehabilitate Dorchester Home

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Aug 20, 2013, 11:38 ET

Volunteers from Andover-based Philips North America gather to support community

BOSTON, Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, August 21st, Rebuilding Together Boston, a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home, is joining together with Philips North America and its local employees to renovate the home of a Dorchester family in need.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

Volunteers will work on a home of a former Boston public school teacher and mother, who has lived in her home for more than 30 years. The home was severely damaged in a fire in 2010 and now continues to have electrical, plumbing, painting, and other repair related issues. Volunteers will replace sheetrock in the kitchen, fix the front walkway, install handrails, paint stairways, place covers on electrical outlets, landscape and other projects.

"Rebuilding Together Boston appreciates the hard work of the local Philips volunteers and the generous support of the Philips and its Philips Cares community service program," said Simone Auster, president of Rebuilding Together Boston. "Today's efforts helps to rebuild the home and the lives of this family and raises awareness of the others who may be in need due to financial or health-related issues."

Philips and Rebuilding Together formed their partnership this year and agreed to collaborate on a series of home and neighborhood revitalization projects throughout 2013 across the country. Philips' US headquarters is based in Andover, MA.

About Rebuilding Together:
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our close to 200 local affiliates complete nearly 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Rebuilding Together Boston:
Through support from foundation, corporate and individual sponsors; local businesses; skilled labor; and, the hands-on work of nearly 700 volunteers each year, Rebuilding Together Boston renovates and repairs homes for the City's economically-disadvantaged homeowners and nonprofit facilities across the City. To date, the value of Rebuilding Together Boston's work has totaled over $6.5 million, repaired over 350 homes and non-profit-owned facilities and involved over 20,000 volunteers in its work. More information is available at: www.rtboston.org

About Royal Philips:
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2012 sales of EUR 24.8 billion and employs approximately 116,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About Philips Cares:
Philips Cares is the region's community service program that encourages employees to give back to the communities where they live, work, and play. Through Philips Cares, Philips employees work together to create healthy, sustainable communities that contribute to the success and well-being of future generations.

Through partnerships with local organizations, Philips fosters sustainable communities and makes a difference in the areas that are most important to Philips and its employees; health, education and the environment.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together